By Anderson Ojwang
A day that was expected to mark a significant political statement did not disappoint and, if anything, it was a double-edged sword that sliced each way.
For the Deputy President, it was a solemn occasion that granted him the power to be the Mt Kenya spokesperson and the centre of power.
On the other hand, the fall of the crown has been viewed by his opponents as rejection by the spirits and therefore cannot lead the region.
It was a double-edged sword for Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as elders from Mt Kenya converged to crown him as the region’s spokesperson.
But the irony of the event was that while the elders crowned him, the crown fell from his head, which immediately drew widespread interpretation.
Honour in crown
At the historic Kiringiti, Kiambu, on Saturday, before the Council of Elders of the Gikuyu, Aembu, Mbeere and Ameru communities converged for an important mission.
The over 30,000 elders drawn from 11 counties, members of the Kiama Kia Ma, Kikuyu Council of Elders, Kiama Kia Muembu, Nyangi Ndiriri and the Njuri Ncheke Supreme Council of Ameru Elders, resolved to make Kindiki the Mt Kenya spokesperson.
“We hereby endorse and mandate Kithure Kindiki to serve as our spokesperson and representative in advancing the interests and aspirations of the Mount Kenya Region,” they declared.
In a three-page declaration, the elders said they were committed to preserving unity among the Agikuyu, Ameru, Aembu and Ambeere communities.
“We hereby reaffirm our unwavering commitment to preserving, strengthening and advancing this unity for the present generation and for generations to come,” they said.
The declaration was signed by representatives of Kiama Kia Ma, Kikuyu Council of Elders, Njuri Ncheke, Kiama Kia Muembu, Ngome and Ngangi Ndiriri.
Kindiki wrote, “The elders resolve to support the Government and to promote community and national unity.
The elders have further resolved to use their influence in society to preach peace, promote reconciliation, patriotism and all positive cultural values drawn from the GEMA communities and the other communities that constitute the nation of Kenya.”
Rejection
But former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza said the fall of the crown was a powerful signal and statement.
“After Kindiki’s fake coronation as Mt Kenya spokesperson in Kiambu, the crown fell down signifying rejection & Kasongo’s government is headed to fall WANTAM… Ancestors seem very angry. Wapi Haki ya Mama?” she wrote.
But Cabinet Secretary Godfrey Ruku said the elders endorsed and mandated H.E. Prof. Kithure Kindiki to serve as the Mt Kenya spokesperson and representative in advancing the interests and aspirations of the Mount Kenya Region.
“Elders reaffirmed their support for H.E. President William Ruto and H.E. Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, recognising his role as a leader from the Mount Kenya Region serving as Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya and the bearer of our region’s political aspirations,” he wrote.
But DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua dismissed the coronation, saying attempts to divide Mt Kenya will fail miserably.
“The Mountain is one, the party is one, and the leader is one H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH.
I have woken up to the happenings back home that the two mischievous characters assigned by Mr William Ruto to divide the mountain have given up after the residents of the region rejected their attempts in total,” he wrote.
Gachagua said the efforts to divide the mountain by Kindiki and Ruku have miserably failed.
“I have repeatedly warned Mr William Ruto that dividing the mountain using Kithure Kindiki and his agents is like trying to cut a Mugumo tree using a razor blade. It is mission impossible,” he wrote.
“The ‘elders’ should give back that axe to the two conspirators to take it back to Mr William Ruto, who had sent them on the failed mission. He is the owner of the axe. In fact, it is a bad omen.
Having failed to divide Mt Kenya into the imaginary West and East, the mountaineers are aware of new efforts to divide the former Central Province,” he wrote.
Linturi said coronation is done in special shrines, not in stadiums, and wondered why Kindiki would play politics with an important event.
“When ancestors are against a sham installation exercise, they speak against it on the spot.
Mt Kenya has never been divided and shall never be divided.
The Mountain is one, the party is one, and the leader.
Coronation is done in special shrines, not in stadiums.
When ancestors are against a sham installation exercise, they speak against it on the spot. Mt Kenya has never been divided and shall never be divided,” he wrote.
Kindiki said going forward he will not engage in the political exchange but will engage in their agenda of uniting Mt Kenya and President Ruto’s re-election.
“Will not answer them anymore, will stick to the mission, eyes on ball, hands on deck. One Mountain, One People, One Nation,” he wrote.
